"I AM THE PERSON IN THE OPERA Theatre department at whose desk the buck must stop," says Jen Bertoni, assistant director of opera theatre. "One of my stage management books describes my position as the person who is ultimately responsible for absolutely everything."

Stage management, which takes up the largest portion of Bertoni's time, is a heroic task which often goes unsung. "I spend a third of my time working through people's schedules," she says, "but I also spend a lot of time coordinating the details of a production among the director, costume designer, scenic designer and lighting designer. I try to keep everyone in synch so that the finished product works as a whole. I also acquire most props for each production."

Along with her stage management responsibilities, Bertoni teaches Intro-duction to Opera Theatre, directs the winter term opera and directs scenes from the Opera Workshop and Opera Seminar classes. She also is a member of the faculty for the Vocal Academy for High School Students, a popular program hosted each summer at the Conservatory.

Bertoni, in her fourth year on faculty, says she has noticed a change in students' attitudes since Field's arrival. "I think they generally have a more professional outlook," she says. "We try to treat them as professionals and make it clear that we have professional expectations in return. Most students have risen to our expectations in discipline and performance. They're more aware of punctuality and the mechanics of the business, which I think makes them more prepared for hire in the competitive professional world.